Agency Practice

Gaining practical nursing experience is essential before working independently. It ensures nurses have the clinical skills, knowledge, and confidence to provide safe, high-quality care. Experience helps nurses become familiar with protocols, equipment, and diverse patient populations, reducing errors and enhancing safety. It also prepares them to handle unexpected situations and make informed decisions, fostering compassionate, ethical, and competent practice.

Nurses should self-reflect on their knowledge, skills and judgment and ensure the agency understands their level of competency before assigning them to a new practice setting. If a nurse is in a situation beyond their expertise, they must prioritize patient safety, seek immediate assistance, communicate concerns to a supervisor, and document the issue thoroughly. Informing the agency promptly helps resolve challenges and supports professional growth.

2,015 hours of registered nurse experience within the Canadian healthcare system is required before entering agency practice to consolidate nursing knowledge, skills and judgement.

Agency nursing requires strong critical thinking and decision-making skills, especially in settings where guidance may be limited and expectations unfamiliar. Nurses must be prepared to manage rapidly changing patient conditions and solve complex problems quickly.

Regular self-reflection is essential to assess readiness for such situations, identify knowledge gaps, and seek training. This practice ensures that nurses remain competent, confident, and accountable in delivering safe, ethical, high-quality care. Being prepared not only improves patient outcomes but also supports professional growth.

Taking on responsibilities without proper competence breaches Practice Expectations and compromises patient safety.

Nurses have an ethical and professional duty to provide safe, compassionate, and competent care, regardless of their practice setting. This responsibility requires adapting to diverse environments to meet patient needs and uphold the trust of the communities they serve.

Contrary to popular belief, agency nurses may be mandated to stay beyond their scheduled shift to maintain safe staffing levels and ensure patient care. This flexibility is crucial, especially during times of high demand or unexpected staff shortages. If a nurse cannot fulfill a mandated shift, they must communicate the situation promptly and professionally to their supervisor or the appropriate authority, explaining the specific reasons why they cannot stay and offering alternative solutions when possible.

A nurse cannot leave a patient(s) until a reasonable alternative or replacement is in place, ensuring continuous and safe patient care. This commitment is essential to maintaining care quality and patient safety.

See Duty to Provide Care

Clear and effective communication is essential for all nurses but especially critical for agency nurses who work in multiple settings. To ensure continuity of care, nurses must communicate clearly, accurately, and concisely. Sharing patient information, treatment plans, and observations effectively helps prevent errors and enhances patient safety. Strong communication also fosters trust and collaboration among team members, which is crucial in dynamic healthcare environments.

As an agency nurse, introducing yourself to the unit upon arrival is important. Communicate your name, credentials, and pertinent experience to ensure staff members understand your role and abilities. Clear communication helps you foster teamwork, integrate into the workflow and adapt to unit protocols quickly, improving efficiency and patient care.

When asked to perform tasks beyond your skill level, openly communicate your limitations and seek guidance from colleagues, the charge nurse or supervisor to ensure patient safety. If you notice the agency assigns you roles outside your competencies, notify the agency promptly. This ensures you work within your scope of practice and maintain a safe, supportive environment for both you and your patients.

Accurate and thorough documentation is critical for all nurses, especially agency nurses working in multiple facilities. Each facility may have unique documentation policies and approved acronyms, so it’s vital to adapt and maintain clear, consistent records. Proper documentation supports patient care by ensuring continuity and protecting nurses legally, serving as evidence of the care provided.

Your records should be detailed enough to stand on their own and remain understandable even years later.

For electronic charting, verify you have appropriate permissions at each facility, as access granted at one location does not automatically transfer to another. Confirming permissions ensures compliance and seamless patient care.

It is essential for all nurses, regardless of their employment relationship, to conduct themselves in a manner that upholds the public trust. This means acting honestly, transparently, respectfully, and with integrity in all professional interactions. By embodying these values, nurses not only foster trust and confidence among patients and their families but also reinforce the credibility and reliability of the nursing profession. Upholding these principles ensures that nurses provide high-quality care, maintain ethical standards, and contribute to a positive healthcare environment, ultimately enhancing the well-being of the communities they serve.

All nurses, regardless of their employment relationship, are obligated to serve as mentors within the healthcare community. This practice expectation involves being a role model, demonstrating professional behavior and clinical excellence. Nurses must also act as resources, sharing their knowledge and expertise to support the growth and development of their colleagues. Nurses advocate for their patients, ensuring their voices are heard and respected. They also collaborate with other healthcare professionals to provide coordinated care. By fulfilling these roles, nurses contribute to a supportive and empowering environment that fosters continuous learning and improvement in patient care.

As an agency nurse, you may have reduced access to mentorship

Continuing education is essential for nurses to stay updated on new research, technologies, and best practices. It ensures they provide high-quality care, support career growth, and help meet certification or licensure requirements. Lifelong learning fosters excellence in nursing, benefiting both patients and the profession.

Agency nurses may face limited access to facility-provided education and training. To overcome this, they can seek alternative resources such as online courses, professional networks, and mentorship programs. Proactive learning helps agency nurses stay competent, adapt to facility protocols, and deliver exceptional care while contributing to their teams.